Duane Mason, 18, of Ambleside Road, Ribbleton, will face prison after smashing the windows of a ground floor flat in Yewtree Avenue, Ribbleton.

He entered the premises with an imitation firearm, damaged the inside of the house before assaulting the occupiers.

DC Nigel Marler, Criminal Investigation Department says: “The use of firearms is relatively rare in Preston and Lancashire. This was not a random attack. Both the victim and offender were known to each other. The sentence reflects the seriousness of the crime committed and reinforces that behaviour of this nature will not be tolerated.”

He was also jailed for three years for possessing an imitation firearm, which runs concurrently, during the sentencing at Preston Crown Court.